Morphology of the nymphoid replacement reproductives in the neotropical termite Armitermes euamignathus (Isoptera, Termitidae, Nasutitermitinae)

Numerous nymphoid reproductives were found in three field nests of Armitermes euamignathus collected in Brazil. We report here a morphological description and a biometric study of these individuals. Nymphoid replacements displayed narrow wing buds when compared with those present in nymphs from the three last instars. Thorax morphology of the nymphoids was similar to the penultimate nymphal instar (N4) or to the ultimate nymphal instar (N5), and their origin from these instars of nymphs is discussed. All the nymphoids had eyes, ocelli, and 15 antennal segments. The nymphoid females from nest 1 had different grades of physogastry and royal fat body. The nymphoid females from nests 2 and 3, the nymphoid males from all nests, and the primary king from nests 2 acid 3 had a common fat body, which is similar to that present in alates. The ovaries and the testes of nymphoids were fully mature and the corpora allata larger than those in imagoes. The mandibular glands were also enlarged in nymphoids but the tergal glands were absent. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Dietary fish oil replacement with lard and soybean oil affects triacylglycerol and phospholipid muscle and liver docosahexaenoic acid content but not in the brain and eyes of surubim juveniles Pseudoplatystoma sp

Triplicate groups of juvenile suribim were fed for 183 days one of four different isonitrogenous (47.6% crude protein) and isolipidic (18.7% lipid) diets formulated using three different lipid sources: 100% fish oil (FO, diet 1); 100% pig lard (L, diet 2); 100% soybean oil (SO, diet 3), and FO/L/SO (1:1:1, w/w/w; diet 4). The tissue levels of fatty acids 18:2n - 6 and 18:3n - 3 decreased relative to corresponding dietary fatty acid values. The 20:5n - 3 and 22:6n - 3 composition of muscle and liver neutral lipids were linearly correlated with corresponding dietary fatty acid composition. In contrast, the 22:6n - 3 composition of the brain and eye were similar among treatments. The 22:6n - 3 level was enriched in all tissues, particularly in the neural tissues. Similar results were observed for tissue polar lipids: fatty acids content reflected dietary composition, with the exception of the 22:6n - 3 level, which showed enrichment and no differences between groups. Given these results, the importance of the biochemical functions (transport and/or metabolism) of 22:6n - 3 in the development of the neural system of surubim warrants further investigation. © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2008.

Effects of bovine somatotropin administration on growth, physiological, and reproductive responses of replacement beef heifers

This experiment compared growth, body composition, plasma IGF-I and leptin, and reproductive development of beef heifers receiving or not recombinant bovine ST (BST) beginning after weaning until the first breeding season. Fifty Angus × Hereford heifers (initial BW = 219 ± 2 kg; initial age = 208 ± 2 d), weaned at approximately 6 mo of age, were assigned to the experiment (d 0 to 210). On d 0, heifers were ranked by initial BW and age and assigned to 1) treatment with BST or 2) saline control. Heifers assigned to the BST treatment received subcutaneous (s.c.) injections containing 250 mg of sometribove zinc whereas control heifers received a 5-mL s.c. injection of 0.9% saline every 14 d. Treatments were initiated on d 14 and last administered on d 196. Heifers were maintained on separate pastures harvested for hay the previous summer according to treatment and received grass and alfalfa hay at a rate to provide a daily amount of 7.0 and 1.0 kg of DM per heifer, respectively. Heifer shrunk BW was collected on d 1 and 211 for heifer ADG calculation. Blood samples were collected weekly from d 0 to 210 for determination of plasma progesterone to estimate puberty attainment as well as plasma concentrations of IGF-I and leptin in selected samples. On d 0, 63, 133, and 189, heifers were evaluated for intramuscular marbling, LM depth, and backfat thickness via real-time ultrasonography. No treatment effects were detected (P = 0.27) for heifer ADG (0.49 vs. 0.51 kg/d for control and BST heifers, respectively; SEM = 0.02). Mean backfat thickness was lesser (P < 0.01) in BST heifers compared with control cohorts (3.56 vs. 3.92 mm, respectively; SEM = 0.08). Heifers receiving BST had greater plasma IGF-I concentrations compared with control cohorts 7 d after treatment administration (treatment × day interaction; P < 0.01). Mean plasma leptin concentrations were lesser (P = 0.05) in BST heifers compared with control cohorts (1.82 vs. 2.03 ng/mL, respectively; SEM = 0.07). Onset of puberty was hastened in BST heifers compared with control cohorts (treatment x day interaction; P = 0.04). In summary, a greater proportion of BST heifers reached puberty during the experiment compared with control cohorts, despite lesser plasma leptin concentrations, backfat thickness, and similar ADG. Hence, circulating IGF-I was positively associated with hastened puberty attainment independently of growth rate, circulating leptin concentrations, and body fat content of replacement beef heifers. © 2013 American Society of Animal Science. All rights reserved.

Dietary fiber as fat substitute in emulsified and cooked meat model system

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Cytogenotoxicity biomarkers in fat snook Centropomus parallelus from Cananeia and Sao Vicente estuaries, SP, Brazil

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Ultramorphology and histochemistry of fat body cells from last Instar larval of the Pachycondyla (=Neoponera) villosa (Fabricius) (Formicidae: Ponerinae)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Crystallization, preliminary X-ray analysis and molecular-replacement solution of haemoglobin-II from the fish matrinxa (Brycon cephalus)

Haemoglobins constitute a set of proteins with interesting structural and functional properties, especially when the two large animal groups reptiles and fishes are focused on. Here, the crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of haemoglobin-II from the South American fish matrinxa (Brycon cephalus) is reported. X-ray diffraction data have been collected to 3.0 Angstrom resolution using synchrotron radiation (LNLS). Crystals were determined to belong to space group P2(1) and preliminary structural analysis revealed the presence of two tetramers in the asymmetric unit. The structure was determined using the standard molecular-replacement technique.

Substituição da farinha de peixe pelo farelo de soja em dietas para juvenis de curimba

Replacement of fishmeal by soybean meal in juvenile curimba (Prochilodus lineatus) diets was evaluated. Five isonitrogenous (26% crude protein) and isocaloric (4,000 kcal of gross energy kg(-1)) diets with 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% of replacement were used. Fish (3.71 +/- 0.54 g) were distributed in 25 tanks (120 liters). The diets were provided for 84 days. Total replacement of fishmeal (100%) by soybean meal worsened weight gain, feed conversion and protein efficiency ratio. An increase in carcass fat was observed at the expense of reducing protein percentage, as well as an increase in hepatosomatic index. It was concluded that replacing 75.0% fish meal by soybean meal (33.2% of inclusion) did not affect the animal growth, although there been observed changes in corporal composition and hepatic hyperplasia.

Growth, fat content and fatty acid profile of South American catfish, surubim (Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum) juveniles fed live, commercial and formulated diets

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Determination of crude protein, crude fiber and crude fat in twenty-five genotypes of kale (B-oleracea var. acephala)

The aim of the study was to determine the percentage of crude protein, crude fiber and crude fat (ether extract) of 25 genotypes of kale from the Germplasm Bank of Instituto Agronomico de Campinas and of one genotype grown in the region of Jaboticabal-SP. The plants were cultivated in the field, and the leaves after collection were pre-dried in a convection oven at 65 degrees C for 72 h. Afterward, the leaves were analyzed for crude protein, crude fiber and crude fat (ether-soluble materials). Significant differences were detected among the different genotypes for all the characteristics examined. of the genotypes studied, six showed more than 30% crude protein: HS-20 (32.56%), Comum (31.70%), Couve de Arthur Nogueira 2 (31.16%), Pires 2 de Campinas (30.63%), Manteiga 1-916 (30.36%), and Manteiga de Ribeirao Pires I-2446 (30.03%). In relation to crude fiber, the highest percentage was seen in the genotype Manteiga de Mococa (10.92%), differing significantly from the other genotypes studied. With regard to crude fat, the highest percentage was found in the genotype HS-20 (3.72%), and Pires 1 de Campinas (3.34%). of the genotypes tested, HS-20 stood out among the others, showing both the highest percentage of protein and fat.

Influence of different fat sources on the performance, egg quality, and lipid profile of egg yolks of commercial layers in the second laying cycle

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of different fat sources on the performance, egg quality, and lipid profile of the egg yolks of layers in their second production cycle. The fat sources were cottonseed oil, soybean oil, lard, sunflower oil, or canola oil. Experimental diets were fed to postmolt ISA Brown layers at 70 wk of age and the experimental period was 74 to 86 wk of age. The different fat sources did not influence performance or eggshell quality, but lipid profile of the egg yolk changed as a function of dietary fat sources. In general, the best changes, such as lower level of saturated fatty acids, higher levels of alpha-linolenic acid and DHA, and lower linoleic acid levels, were promoted by the addition of canola oil, but it did not promote enrichment of the eggs with polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Phenotypic and genetic parameters compared during repeated measures of longissimus muscle area and subcutaneous fat thickness in Nelore cattle

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Selection for higher body weight in Nelore cattle is effective in achieving an increase of longissimus muscle area without reducing subcutaneous fat thickness

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Genetic parameters for milk, fat and protein yields in Murrah buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis Artiodactyla, Bovidae)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Fontes e níveis de proteína bruta em dietas para juvenis de pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus)

Este experimento foi conduzido, por um período de 100 dias, com o objetivo de estudar diferentes fontes e níveis de proteína bruta em dietas para juvenis de pacu. Foram utilizados 252 juvenis de pacu, distribuídos em 36 caixas de cimento amianto com volume de 150 litros, sendo estocados sete peixes em cada unidade. Durante o período experimental, a temperatura média da água permaneceu em 28ºC e os demais parâmetros limnológicos (oxigênio dissolvido, pH, alcalinidade e condutividade) apresentaram-se dentro dos níveis adequados para o desenvolvimento desta espécie. O delineamento experimental foi de blocos casualizados, no qual foram avaliados nove tratamentos em esquema fatorial 3 x 3, sendo três níveis de substituição da fonte protéica de origem animal (farinha de peixe), pela fonte de origem vegetal (farelo de soja), aos níveis de 0, 50 e 100% e três níveis de proteína bruta (18, 22 e 26%). Os resultados obtidos indicaram que o nível de 22% de proteína bruta foi mais adequado e a farinha de peixe pode ser substituída parcial ou totalmente pelo farelo de soja. A substituição da farinha de peixe por farelo de soja proporcionou os melhores coeficientes de digestibilidade, sem afetar ganho de peso, conversão alimentar, taxa de crescimento específico e taxa de eficiência protéica dos juvenis. Esta substituição também não afetou a composição corporal dos peixes, como a eficiência de retenção de nitrogênio, nitrogênio corporal, gordura corporal e nitrogênio e gordura no ganho de peso.